Before Heaven
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17-19)
As Christians, as members of Christ’s Church, we must be unequivocal in the notion that Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem the lives of those in it. And that redemption is not just about saving souls bound for heaven; it is also about changing, reversing, and redeeming the world and the conditions in it right here and right now.
If following Jesus was only about going to heaven when we die, we would just go straight to heaven once we experienced salvation. But that’s not the case at all. Instead, the Lord leaves us here on earth so that we can make a difference for His kingdom, so we can tell others about the hope He offers, and so we can point others towards Him so that they might have a relationship with Him as well.
Peter had a revelation that Jesus was more than a teacher, itinerant preacher, and philosopher. He was the Anointed One. He was God’s chosen man—God’s appointed messenger to save souls, redeem systems, restore hope, and change the world. That’s the truth upon which we are built. When we sing, “On Christ, the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand,” we are affirming that the theological foundation of the Church rests upon a proper recognition of who Jesus was and who Jesus is.
So let’s take that recognition and turn it into action. Let’s not stop at understanding who Jesus is on our own. Let’s take that knowledge and that wisdom and share it with others so that they might come to the same understanding. And then we can look forward to what a beautiful day it will be when we can spend eternity in heaven together with the people we shared Jesus with.
As Christians, as members of Christ’s Church, we must be unequivocal in the notion that Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem the lives of those in it. And that redemption is not just about saving souls bound for heaven; it is also about changing, reversing, and redeeming the world and the conditions in it right here and right now.
If following Jesus was only about going to heaven when we die, we would just go straight to heaven once we experienced salvation. But that’s not the case at all. Instead, the Lord leaves us here on earth so that we can make a difference for His kingdom, so we can tell others about the hope He offers, and so we can point others towards Him so that they might have a relationship with Him as well.
Peter had a revelation that Jesus was more than a teacher, itinerant preacher, and philosopher. He was the Anointed One. He was God’s chosen man—God’s appointed messenger to save souls, redeem systems, restore hope, and change the world. That’s the truth upon which we are built. When we sing, “On Christ, the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand,” we are affirming that the theological foundation of the Church rests upon a proper recognition of who Jesus was and who Jesus is.
So let’s take that recognition and turn it into action. Let’s not stop at understanding who Jesus is on our own. Let’s take that knowledge and that wisdom and share it with others so that they might come to the same understanding. And then we can look forward to what a beautiful day it will be when we can spend eternity in heaven together with the people we shared Jesus with.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves God
2024
January
Let it GoA Prayer for RestorationThe Power of Self-ForgivenessEmbracing FreedomFrom Transgression to RedemptionRelease and FreedomWisdom in ReflectionBlessed Assurance in ForgivenessEmbracing Divine RestTrusting in the WaitingEmbracing Peace in Unresolved MomentsMoving Forward Without ClosureA New Chapter AwaitsRefocusing for a New ChapterThe Danger of Looking BackLet God Be Your DefenseGod's Victory, Not OursThe Author of Your New ChapterThe Faithful Promise KeeperA Promise UnveiledThe Urgency of ObedienceThe University of AdversityThriving in AdversityForging the Future YouTransformative Power of AdversityThe Role of ResilienceThe Gift of EmpathyChanging PerspectiveGod's Purpose in Your AdversityThe Anchoring Power of TrustConsistent in Prayer, Unwavering in Praise
February
Navigating Life's JourneyLessons from the Prodigal SonStaying on TrackA Lesson in PatienceTrusting in God's TimingAvoiding the DriftChoosing Your Company WiselyThe Impact of Your Inner CircleThe Call to Responsible StewardshipFrom Rock Bottom to RedemptionGetting My Life Back On TrackWholeness Beyond Rock Bottom
No Comments